Luxury Whiskys

Bruichladdich 40 Year Old

$2,500/700 ml bottle

Bruichladdich’s 40 Year Old vintage not only has the distinction of being the distillery’s oldest product, it’s also the most expensive Islay whisky you’ll find on the market today, if you can find it, that is — only 500 bottles were produced.

This is a pleasantly mild whisky, but don’t make the mistake of assuming that means it’s without taste — this is one of the more complex bottles that you’re likely to find, and it’s packed with nuanced flavors.

On the nose you’ll pick up butterscotch, mint, maple syrup, and oak, as well as sweet, dark vanilla, poached pear, and cinnamon — it’s just loaded with great flavor combinations.

On the tongue, look for a great, soft feel with notes of toasted oak, yellow fruits, lime, and grapefruit. Not surprisingly, Bruichladdich’s 40 Year Old is smooth beyond belief with a nice, mellow finish.

Glen Garioch, 1958, 46 Year Old

$2,600/700 ml bottle

There’s a good reason why you may have never heard of Glen Garioch: The distiller keeps a low profile and the quality of its malts have varied quite a bit through the years. Real aficionados, however, will tell you that some of Glen Garioch’s older malts are among the best ever produced.

In keeping with that idea, we present the Glen Garioch, 1958, 46 Year Old vintage. The distiller made only 328 bottles of this little bottle of magic, and its rarity and price tag make it the most expensive Highland whisky in the world.

In the best highland-malt tradition, this one is characterized with fruit and floral notes, with just a hint of peat. It’s sophisticated and complex, and worth the time and cost to savor.

The Macallan Fine & Rare Collection, 1939, 40 Years Old

$10,125/700 ml bottle

The Macallan Fine & Rare 40 Year Old replaces the 60 Year Old vintage as the most expensive bottle on the market today.

This vintage was first bottled in 1979, hence the 40-year-old designation. In 2002, Macallan rebottled its entire Fine & Rare collection for consistency of appearance.

On the nose, this one starts with notes of orange and rich, dried fruit, like dates and prunes. You’ll also pick up notes of treacle and vanilla toffees with just a hint of peat. On the tongue, look for rich peat and powerful woodsy tastes that are pleasantly offset by notes of sweet toffee and fruit.

Sure, $10,000 seems like a lot for a bottle of whisky, but when you taste this one, you might forget the price for just a moment.

a dram of the best damn whisky

There you have it: a handful of luxury whiskys with price tags to match. Whisky has a special place in spirit drinkers’ hearts, and these bottles are sure to warm the body and soul.